Covering third parties and independent candidates since 2008

Jesse Ventura, the former professional wrestler, who won election as Governor of Minnesota as a member of the Reform Party in 1998, is continuing his lawsuit against the widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, who was murdered earlier this year.

Today, attorneys for Ventura appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, arguing for the lawsuit to continue. Kyle’s widow Tara still profits from Kyle’s autobiography, which includes a story of a 2006 bar fight between Kyle and Ventura. Ventura claims the bar fight never occurred.

According to Ventura attorney David Bradley Olsen, the alleged bar fight is “a complete fabrication and is a vicious, deliberate, and calculated assault on [Ventura’s] character, honor, and reputation that is intended to turn the SEAL and military community, and Americans in general, against [Ventura].” He argues that Ventura retains a right to protect his good name.

Kyle attorney John Borger counters that Ventura’s decision to continue “will serve no useful purpose, and likely will promote public perception of Jesse Ventura as someone who has little or no regard for the feelings and welfare of surviving family members of deceased war heroes.” Before his death, Kyle affirmed under oath that the events described in his book did occur.

Ventura has been speculated as a potential 2016 presidential candidate either as an Independent or for the Libertarian Party nomination. Should he run, this issue will likely be raised.

@4
I don’t see why this lawsuit would impair his credibility.
For a person to be in favor of truth, justice and the American Way he first has to battle for truth. If the author of this book lied then why not sue him, his estate of the person who benefits from the alleged lies?

I don’t think Ventura has any intention of running for President, which is good because I don’t think he’s have a chance to even become a
nominee for any party.”

I think that he could win the nomination of the Libertarian Party. He’s not really as good a fit with the Constitution Party or Green Party, and the Democrats and Republicans would not nominate him for obvious reasons (although he could make either of their primaries very interesting). There are probably some other small parties out there that would nominate him, but they are not on the ballot in enough places to make it worth his interest.